Atomizer



July 31', 1928.

H. H. HELLER ATOMIZER Filed Aug. 23. 1921 VENTOR 7/ mum fwd! "2444 .J 214 .4 T'IORNE KS Patented July 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES H. HOWARD HELLER, OF SOUND BEACH, CONNECTICUT.

ATOMIZER.

Application filed August 23, 1921. Serial No. 494,535.

This invention relates to atomizers particularly adapted for spraying insectlcldes and similar liquids. V r

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 492,812, filed August 16, 1921, there is shown an atomizer adapted to be substituteddor theordinary closure of the can or container in which an insecticide is originally supplied, and to remain on the container as long as there is any liquid in it. The contalner then forms the receptacle of the atomlzing device, and the insecticide may be sprayed directly therefrom without the necessity of pouring it into another receptacle. The waste and other disadvantages and disagreeable features attending the transfer of insecticides and similar liquids from a container to a sprayer are thus avoided, and the arrangement possesses the further advantage that atomizer-s designed to fit the conta ners of a particular brand or make of insecticide may be sold or perhaps even given away with first purchases to promote subsequent purchases of the same substance.

I In accordance with. the invention of my copending application, the atomizer comprises a cap or the like, adapted to be substituted for the ordinary closure of a conta1ner and carrying an outer tube, which, when the atomizer is in place, extends to the bottom of the container and is provided at its lower end with a check valve. Within the outer tube is a reciprocable inner tube carrying at its lower end a piston or plunger fitting closely within the outer tube. The inner tube passes through the cap which carries the outer tube and is bent in such a mannerthat it may be conveniently gripped and rec procated within the. outer, tube to pump liquid through. the inner tube to a nozzle at the outer end of this tube, from which it 1s ejected in the form of a fine spray.

The present invention relates particularly to means for supporting the atomizer 1n place upon the can or container with which it is to be used. It has for its ob ect the provision of a device for this purpose, which may be easily applied to or removed from a can of standard form and when in place will forma tight closure preventing leakage of liquid from the can in case the latter is tipped over or even inverted. At the same time the device serves as a firm support for the outer tube of the atomizer, which may be clamped thereto by the simple operation 0t tightening nuts or the like on the end at this tube. that it serves as a receptacle to catch any liquid that may be forced out around the inner tube as it moves into and out of the outer tube during the spraying operation.

In accordance with the present invention, a can of standard form, such as one having a nozzle adapted to be closed by a seal, is employed, and the atomizer supporting de- Vice is in the form of a member which may be pushed into the nozzle after the seal has been removed. A can having a tapering nozzle is preferably used and the member adapted to be inserted therein is formed with a similar taper to cause a tight fit be tween the member and the nozzle, to hold the atomizer firmly in place and prevent leakage of liquid in case the can is tipped over, while at the same time'permitting the member to be easily pried out of the nozzle when it is desired to remove the atomizer from the can.

The atomizer is preferably of substantially the sameconstruction as the one shown in my co-pending application and consists of an outer tube within which is slidably mounted an inner tube carrying at its lower end a piston or plunger. In accordance with this invention the upper end of the outer tube is provided with a thread upon which are screwed two nuts between which the supporting member may be clamped to attach the atomizer to the member with its outer tube extending into the can. i

The upper one of the two nuts extends over the top edge of the outer tube and fits closely around the inner tube which may be reciprocated t-herethrough during the pumping operation.

The particular nature of theinvention, as well as other objects and advantages thereof,

willappear more clearly from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawing, which is a vertical sectional view of a container and the atomizer associated therewith.

In the drawing 1 indicates a metallic can of standard form in which the insecticide or other liquid is supplied and which is provided with a tapering nozzle 2 having its upper end turned over as at 3 to form a flange adapted to receive a suitable seal forming a closure for the can during shipment, In the drawing such seal is shown as having "been replaced by a cup 4 comprising a bottom portion 5 and a sidewall 6 having substan tially the same taper as. the 52 that The device is preferably so formed it may be pressed firmly within the latter to form a tight joint. The upper edge of the cup is provided with a flange 7 by which the cup may be more easily pressed into the neck of the can or pried therefrom by a suitable instrument, such as a knife or .screw driver.

The bottom portion 5 of the cup is provided with an aperture through .which extends the upper end of an outer tube 8 which is of sufhcient length to reach nearly to the bottom of the can. The .lower end is rounded to constitute a seat for a ball valve 9 and is provided with an inlet aperture 10.

The upper end of the tube 8 is provided with a thread upon which are screwed nuts '11 and 12 between which the bottom portion 5 of the cup may be clamped to support the atomizer upon the cup. The upper nut 12 extends over the upper edge of the tube 8 and is provided .with an aperture through which passes an inner tube 13 extending into the outer tube and surrounded at: its lower end by a piston or plunger l l which tits closely within the outer tube. Above the nut 12 the inner tube 13 bent to form a ring 15 into which a linger may be inserted to permit the inner tube to be'reciprocated as a piston rod within the outer tube.

The inner tube 13 is provided at its outer end with a discharge nozzle 16 consisting of a shell secured in any suitable manner upon the outer end of the tube. lVithin the tube is it slidable member 17 constituting a (le- -fleetor for the liquid and provided with a tailpiece 18 which serves as a closure for the end of tube 13. The body portion of member 17 is in sliding contactwith ,the wallet the shell and is provided with angularly disposed liquid-deflecting slots 19 which open into a chamber at the outer portion of the shell. The length of this chamber varies in accordance with the position of the member 17, which depends upon the fluctuations of 'pressure in the liqnidbeing forced through the nozzle and out of the discharge orificeQO at the end of the shell.

In using the device, these-a1 of the can is'removed from the flange 3 and the cup 4 carrying the atomizer is pressed into the nozzle 2. It is intended that the atomizer shall be kepton the can as long as there is .down within the outer tube 8 in the man nor of a pump. Any liquid,as well asthe air, above the piston 14 and between the outer and inner tubes '8 and 13 respectively, will be expelled into the interior of the can through one or more holes 21 at the top of thevouter tube aslhe plunger ascends. \Vhile the plunger i moving upward the liquid will enter the outer tube through inlet 10,

displacing the ball 9 from its seat as it to prevent air from entering this tube and' lessening or destroying the suction oil-cot of the plunger.

As the plunger is driven downward on the pumping stroke the pressure transn'iitted through the liquid in the tube 8 presses the ball 9 against its seat, and the liquid in the tube is forced upwardly through the inner tube 13 and into the discharge nozzle 16 where it =lirst impinges against the tail piece 18 and pushes it away from the endof the tube, at the same time moving themember 17 within the shell of the nozzle.

Asthe liquid passes over thistail piece it isspread into a tubular column better adapted to enter and pass through the deflecting slots 19 in3t-he member "17. As the liquid emerges from {these slots it is directed against the wall of the nozzlechamber and is ejected throughthe -orifice 20 of the nozzle in the cloud-like spray, which may be aimed in any desired direction 'by turning the inner tube "within the outer tube and tipping the cam which will ordinarily be held in one hand while the inner tube and its plunger are being 'reeiprociitcd with thesother hand. The horizontal portion ofthetube 18 acts as a stop by engaging 5the=flange7 of the cup 4, thereby limiting the downward movement of the inner't-ube and its plunger to preventthe latter *frorn striking the ball 9.

If during the operation-of the device any liquid should be expelledaround the nut 12, it; will collect *in the cup and gradually evaporate without runningdownthe sides of the can and soiling the ltingers. The cup 4 will {be constructed of material lhaving a suitable thickness to give the required rigidity to form afirm support for the atomizer, and permit'tihe cup to be pressed into or pried from the neck 2 of "the cam without tleformation. The method of attaching the outer tube 8 of the atomizer to the .cup 4 is simple and inexpensive and does not require the use any special tools ormanufacturing'operation. It also permits the parts to be conveniently taken apartfor cleaning or repairs.

till

Hill

While the invention has been describ d. particularly with reference to containers for insecticides and a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be under-- stood that it is equally adapted for use with containers for other kinds of liquids and that various changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the principle of the invention as defined in the a pended claims.

I c aim:

1. An atomizer for use with a container having a tapering nozzle comprising an airvented recess-forming member adapted to be pushed into said nozzle and having a rim to extend thereabove, an outer tube extending through said member, an inner tube adapted to reciprocate within the outer tube and pr0- vided with a piston at its lower end, separate devices exteriorly mounted on said outer tube fastening the same to said memher one forming a guide for said outer tube, and means at the upper end of said innertube for spraying liquid expelled therefrom by downward movement of the piston, said inner tube'having alaterally projecting portion adapted to engage the rim of said member to limit such movement.

2. An atomizer for use with a containerhaving a nozzle, comprising a cup-shaped member provided with an air-vent and an upperrim, said member being adapted to be inserted in the nozzle, an outer tube extending through the member, an inner tube reciprocatory within said outer tube and provided with a piston at its lower end, a support on the exterior of the outer tube underlying said member, a securing device on the exteriorof said outer tube maintaining said member in rigid combination with the latter and said support extending over the outer tube to guide the inner tube, and means at the upper end of the inner tube for spraying liquid expelled therefrom by downward movement of the piston, said inner tube having a laterally extending portion adapted to engage the rim of said memberto limit such downward movement.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

H. HQWARD HELLER. 

